Green Ivy

Some people are a bit Green with Envy of me since I live in Georgia which is a warmer climate during the winter months. I may have a bit of envy of them living in a cooler climate during the hotter months. Hey, lets don't be green with envy but Green with Ivy instead!

I may live in a warmer climate but we still get some freezing temperatures. We don't have the lush tropical feel during the winter. But I am sure to have some green around me. The front porch is so lost in the winter if it were not for my ivy in the planter along the East side of the house.

When all other plants are safely tucked away in the house high from little paws of kitty cats, or other flowers long gone to the compost bin, the ivy is always there to cheer me up.

It does so well in this spot that I have to remove it from the container every few years as it outgrows the box. I hope to replant this batch somewhere in the yard and start the planter over again this spring.

Don't be Envious of my mild winter temps, Get yourself some GREEN IVY to cheer you up while you are not, In the Garden...

Note: This post was pushed back during the winter months as other postings came up, so a bit late...

Ivy

Hi Brandi. Thanks for your email. I am answering you in the blog because others might be interested in your question. Thanks for reading the blog. Brandi asks what kind of ivy I would recommend she plant on her house. I can tell you I would NEVER recommend planting ivy. Ivy is extremely invasive and hard to eradicate once it is established. Think twice before planting it.

Here is a link explaining the problems with ivy. I have never grown ivy because I learned a long time ago I did not want to deal with its invasiveness. I am sorry to all of you ivy growers but this is my story-and I am sticking to it!

http://www.noivyleague.com/Pages/english_ivy.html

Ivy just is not a good plant and I wouldn't even plant it in the furthest corner of my yard. I will offer you an alternative though. If you want something to grow up the side of your house, and chicken wire is good to guide vines, why not grow a Clematis. A friend of mine has some beautiful purple ones growing up her house on a wire. Clematis does not grab like ivy, blooms and is easy to remove if you change your mind later. You do have to guide Clematis, but it is only a once or twice yearly thing. The only drawback is that it is not evergreen like ivy. BUT, the stems remain and clematis has great seedheads which look attractive. Here are a few pictures of clematis in my garden. The first picture is of the vines (four of different varieties) growing on an arbor entering my backyard, and one of the attractive seedheads on the same arbor. The seedheads hang around for a long time, they are persistent.

Hope this helps and does not disappoint you too much. If you do decide to plant ivy expect to be pruning very regularly to keep it in check. I have a few friends who grow ivy in their yard and one who has it on her house. While it is beautiful it is just too invasive and has a habit of getting out of control. The local stores have many types and the variegated variety is attractive but again, I do not recommending planting it ever.

in the garden....